Thursday, December 10, 2015

Lunch with Peter and Mike

I had to be in Ottawa yesterday for a meeting at four o'clock. It made sense to seize the opportunity to drop in on Peter Sanderson.

Peter had some business to look after in the morning and suggested we get together for lunch. He was already meeting Mike Fritz to celebrate Mike's birthday and asked me to tag along.

That meant three bloggers getting together to celebrate a birthday, what could be finer?

Allow me to introduce Mike Fritz.
Mike rides a Suzuki V-Strom adventure bike. He has ridden that bike all over Eastern Canada. You can read all about it on his blog which you can find here, or in the sidebar to the right.

Mike is one of those quiet strong folks you only meet so often. To get an idea of just how strong Mike is, click here.

I had heard about Mike's exploits a few times from Peter, though Peter never made a big deal about it. That's Peter. Another gem of a human being. Peter doesn't call attention to himself, even though he's a blogger, like Mike and I.

Are bloggers attention seekers by definition? Let's see... I can immediately answer that question resoundingly and confidently: "No they certainly are not!" I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but all the bloggers I know, and all the ones I have met, to a woman and a man, are quiet unassuming people. They write not for themselves, but for others.

Peter and I picked up the tab for Mike's lunch along with birthday wishes.

Peter has faced his share of adversity in the last couple of years, but you'd never know it. If you read through the link I posted above, you'll see the same is true of Mike, in spades.

So what did we talk about over that lunch? Certainly not adversity.

We talked about touring on motorcycles of course. Guess where Mike is setting his sights? He plans to fulfill a lifelong dream of riding from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. He's aiming to raise money for cancer research along the way. Mike's eyes lit up when we began to discuss the Darién Gap, a place I hadn't heard about until I read about it in Stephanie Jeavon's blog. Mike has done his homework. In the past he toyed with the idea of actually making his way through the Gap, something he won't attempt on his planned trip, it's just too damn dangerous.

Mike told of a ferry that used to serve traffic to Prince Edward Island. It lost its place when the Confederation Bridge eliminated the need.

Mike did a Youtube video when he crossed the Confederation bridge. That's one long bridge. Free to get to PEI, but it'll cost you to leave. Tell me Canadians don't have a sense of humour!

Well, that Canadian ferry has made its way all over the place looking a niche to fill, and now serves as a link to by-pass the Gap (no, not the clothing store, pay attention!). I hope I am remembering that correctly.

Peter and I are not in a position where epic road trips are really a possibility. I mean that they are possible, we certainly have the gear and the skills, at least Peter does (a BMW GS equipped for adventure travel)... but it's not primarily a skills or gear thing. Your life can either be completed by that kind of exploit, or it can be turned upside down and inside out. My need for adventure is only moderate. I think Peter is more of an adventurer than I am. Check out Peter's blog, either here on in the sidebar.

True to form, Peter had something for me before we said our goodbyes. A replica street sign for my garage.

And that's one of Peter's defining traits. The man is one of the most generous people I have had the pleasure to meet. We're already planning some rides when the snow that we have yet to receive, melts.

Well, that's three articles in as many days. I won't keep that breathless pace up, rest assured.

But I'm slowly getting used to the new look and feel here at Life on two wheels, and I like it. It's starting to feel cozy.

11 comments:

David - The winter will be short when you include the trip to sunny Florida. I just spent a couple of delightful days riding with Stephanie Yue. She, Ken (Lostboater) and Bill (Wleuthold) and I met up in GA and then rode down to the state park here where I volunteer. A bit of time at the forge last night and she is off this a.m. to Atlanta. We talked about you and the Adirondack trip. Stay warm my friend & the best of the holidays to you and your family.

I'm sure you guys enjoyed your time together and Ms. Yue's company. What a gathering that was. Did anyone begin tallying up the miles ridden? Just Ken and Steph together must total over 100 thousand miles on Vespas, plus 2 or more trans-continental Cannonballs between Ken and Bill. Wow! Moto royalty!

I guess we did cover more ground. Politics came up. There was a lot of head scratching and head shaking when we shared our views on that, I can tell you. Peter had some very worrying insights into the political mood in the US south and southern mid-west. These are deeply troubling times.

Well I never would have guessed I'd find out about the long awaited ferry service between Panama and Colombia on this blog. I have been to Darien (by car, with dogs) and don't think much of it. Unless you like foetid jungle. Much better take the ferry. PS don't worry about US politics you can just watch us immolate from the safety of the 49th parallel.

It facinates me that there is a place on earth where continents meet, that clearly invites the construction of a road link, but that is so inhospitable as to be an impassable obstacle.

As for US politics, I marvel to there can be so many people in the world's most advanced and powerful nation dumb enough to flirt so seriously with a presidential candidate on the basis of vile and simplistic statements that in every conceivable way deny the fundamental principles and values of the American constitution.

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About Life on two wheels

Welcome

I am David Masse, and this is Life on two wheels.

Life on two wheels began as a way to explore my decision to commute to my job in downtown Montreal from my home in the suburbs on a Vespa motor scooter, and the byline for my journal was the Scoot Commute. Today I live in Toronto, I've expanded the scope of topics I cover here, and I've added a YouTube channel as well.

Over time my life on two wheels became much more than a scooter commuting story. My Vespa and my web and video journals became a gateway to wonderful new experiences, remarkable adventures, and enduring friendships.

The links at the top of the page make it easier for you access the information in this journal in a more useful way, organized by topic, as well as a link to the YouTube video journals.

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